Prayer and meditation mantel and pedestal

ABSTRACT

A mantel and pedestal that can be folded for storage and transportation and assembled for temporary display by the user and suitable for meditative and devotional purposes.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Use

The invention pertains to a devotional or meditative centerpiece that can be used in a fixed location or be transportable or collapsible for storage when not in use. The invention may provide a personal devotional or meditative centerpiece that can be used when traveling.

2. Prior Art

Religious or meditative fixtures have long been known and used by all spiritual and religious groups. Typically, these fixtures have been alters, icons, statutes and the like. The fixtures are often decorated with symbols having meaning and significance to the user or groups, such symbols varying with the beliefs, traditions or tastes of the individual or group. Few of these objects or devices, which have demonstrated long standing utility for focusing the devotional activities of the individual user, have been suitable for transport or storage.

With the continuing, if not increasing, spirituality of individuals, combined with the ever increasing mobility of the individuals in their occupations or lives, there accordingly is a need for a transportable, collapsible, storable and rapidly deployable device suitable to focus the individual's spiritual and meditative activities.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The invention pertains to a method and apparatus for erecting or removeably installing a meditation or devotional object that can contain or hold items having religious or spiritual significance for individuals. The invention also pertains to a portable object that can be made of various materials such as wood, resinous plastic, paper (such as card board or paper board) etc., having sufficient mechanical strength to be used in conjunction with tension, suction or other type of mechanically removable attachment mechanisms minimizing deactivation of the protective system by power failure or sabotage.

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an easily assembled and transportable structure that can be used to place religious or spiritual objects.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a structure that can be used by travelers in small temporary lodging places such as hotel rooms, etc.

It is another object of the invention to provide a object that can contain personally significant religious or spiritual symbols or markings.

Other benefits of the invention will also become apparent to those skilled in the art and such advantages and benefits are included within the scope of this invention.

SUMMARY OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention. These drawings, together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a portable and temporary meditation mantel utilized as one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the meditation mantel.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the meditation mantel.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the underside of the meditation mantel and illustrating the recessed surface and side/front support frame.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the back of the meditation mantel of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the meditation mantel illustrating an embodiment wherein the mantel can be folded for more compact storage and transport.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the back of the meditation mantel of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 illustrate the folding of the meditation mantel.

FIG. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the meditation mantel wherein the folded mantel forms a storage compartment.

FIG. 1 2A is a schematic view of the mantel illustrating one embodiment of a tension spring mechanism used to attach the mantel to a corner wall surface.

FIG. 13A is a bottom perspective illustrating a tension spring support component.

FIG. 14A is a side perspective illustration of the operation of the spring component in supporting the mantel in a wall corner.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic illustration of the collapsing form of the prayer pedestal embodiment.

FIGS. 17A through 17D illustrate the contraction and folding of the top and bottom components of the prayer pedestal.

FIG. 18 illustrates the relationship of the top or bottom components to the collapsible pedestal component.

FIG. 19 illustrates an internal compartment that can be contained within the collapsible pedestal component.

FIGS. 20A, 20B and 20C illustrate some of the alternative shapes of the pedestal component of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

The above general description and the following detailed description are merely illustrative of the subject invention and additional modes, advantages and particulars of this invention will be readily suggested to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention comprises two components which may be used alone or in conjunction. The first component is termed a meditation mantel or “mantel”. It is intended to provide a surface for placing various objects selected by the user. It is designed to be easily and quickly installed without marring a supporting wall surface. It is specifically intended to be suitable for installation in any corner wall area that forms a substantially 90° interior angle, e.g., a room wall corner. Accordingly, the surface of the mantel may be a triangular surface area.

FIG. 1 illustrates the mantel 100 installed in a wall corner 200 formed of two walls 211 212. The mantel has a top surface 120 formed of two sides 131 132 each having a length L₁ L₂ and a front side 133. The length of the two sides 131 132 adjacent to the wall surfaces 211 212 may be approximately equal and the angle formed at the juncture may be 90° thereby forming a right triangle. The mantel 100 is installed on the wall without intrusion into the wall 214. FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of the mantel 100 showing the shape of the top surface formed by the three sides 131 132 133. FIG. 3 is an illustration of the front 133 and the relationship of the top 120 and bottom 141. The end 145 of the front 133 is at the juncture of the mantel side adjacent to the wall (not shown).

FIG. 4 illustrates the bottom surface 141 of the mantel 100 and the supporting form of the three sides 131 132 133 each having a thickness. (Reference is made to the thickness 145 of the sides show in the prospective view of the mantel in FIG. 1.) The structure of the sides with the recessed bottom surface of the mantel forms interior sides 143 146 147 that can be used for attachment of the mantel to the wall surface (not show). The depth or thickness of the sides 137 138 is also illustrated.

FIG. 5 illustrates the reverse perspective of the mantel 100 illustrated in FIG. 3. The support sides 131 132 of the mantel are show. The sides intersect at a point 144 that will be adjacent to and conform with the interior corner of the wall (not shown). The end 145 of the support side is at the intersection of the mantel front side not sown. The relationship of the mantel top surface 120 and bottom 141 is also shown.

FIG. 6 illustrates a view of the mantel that can be folded along an axis 701 utilizing a hingeable component 144. The remaining components of the invention are as previously identified and discussed.

FIG. 8 illustrates the operation of the hinge component 157 of the mantel 100 in relation to the sides 133 134 adjacent to the wall (not shown). The continuation of the hinged movement of the invention 100, vector arrow 757 is illustrated in FIG. 9, including the recessed areas 141A 141B formed within the bottom surface and sides of the mantel.

FIG. 10 illustrates the mantel 100 with the components in a folded position comprising the sides surfaces 133 134 and the recessed areas 141A 141B. The hinged component 157 is shown in relation to the respective corners 148 149 formed with the front component of the mantel (not shown). It will be appreciated that the pivoting hinge can be placed such that the bottom surface folds together, with the bottom recesses 141A 141B creating an internal storage cavity.

This alternate arrangement is illustrated in FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a perspective of the mantel 100 viewed from the bottom. The hinge 157 is proximate to the bottom surface extending from the corner 141 formed at the juncture of the two sides 131 132 to the front side 134. The bottom recesses 141A 141B will close upon each other when the two bottom halves are folded together. FIG. 11 also illustrates two possible attachment mechanisms 622 624. Two other attachment components are also illustrated 623. One attachment mechanism 622 utilizes a suction cup type devise to provide adhesion to the wall surface. The other relies upon spring tension to hold the mounting mechanism firmly against the wall surface. The mounting mechanism may utilize a variety of know means, including but not limited to adhesives, surfaces having high friction coefficients, or mechanically protrude into the wall surface in response to mantel moving downward by gravity or other force.

FIG. 12A illustrates a mantel 100 embodiment in which a spring clip component 628 in combination with attachment components 620 624 are used to create a substantially opposing pressure on each wall surface 211 212. The attachment components 620 are oriented such that the pressure, shown by vector arrows 718 and 719, have components orthogonal to each wall surface and opposing the corner 215. The attachment components, attached to the tension clip component that may be mounted under the mantel surface 120, can protrude through the mantel sides 131 132 adjacent to the walls. Also illustrated is the means for folding the mantel 100 along the axis 701 utilizing the hinge 157. Each portion of the mantel, joined by the hinge, is foldable in the direction shown by vector arrows 701 702. Also illustrated are optional and foldable components 181 182 attached to the mantel surface 120 that, in combination with the attachment components 620 624 facilitate holding the mantel in the desired position in the wall corner. As the components are foldable, they can be fixed in orientation 185 with each other and the mantel surface by use of a snap or hook/eye type attachment 187.

FIG. 13A is a top view of the mantel embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12A. The tension clip component 628 and attachment components 620 622 are show relative to the triangular shaped mantel surface 120. The mantel may be installed in the wall corner 215 by pushing the mantel in the direction illustrated by vector arrow 722. The tension or pressure is created by the expansive force illustrated by vector arrow 721.

FIG. 14A is a side view of the mantel embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12A. Note that only one attachment component is illustrated on the side. The attachment component will hold the mantel at this position, but gravity force, shown by vector arrow 726, may cause the end of the mantel proximate to the corner wall surface 215 to rotate at the axis of the attachment mechanism along a circumference 728 having the radius R to R₁ as shown by vector arrow 727. This movement 729 will be prevented by the extended surface edge 185 formed by the junction of the foldable component 181 meeting the wall corner 215. Also illustrated is the attachment mechanism 187 for holding the foldable component 181 to a counter-part (not shown). (Reference is made to the two foldable components 181 182 illustrated in FIG. 12A.) Another component of the invention that can be used in combination with the mantel is a pedestal (“prayer pedestal” or “pedestal”). This component can be collapsible for storage and transportation. It consists of a base component, a top component and a pedestal attachably connected or fitted to the base and top components. The pedestal component may also contain an opening or container for placement of objects selected by the user. The opening may be covered by a door or similar sub-component. Additional items, e.g., a candle, may be placed on the top component.

FIG. 15 illustrates an embodiment of the pedestal component 800 comprising of a base 810, pedestal 820 and top 840. Also illustrated is an optional container component 830 having a door 833 with a handle 831 connected to the pedestal by hinges 832. FIG. 15 also illustrates a top component 840 containing a candleholder 843.

The pedestal 820 illustrated in FIG. 15 is comprised of four sides pivotablely connected at each corner 821, thereby allowing the structure to be collapsed into a flat shape. This folding movement is illustrated in FIG. 16 wherein the four sides A B C D of the pedestal 820 is collapsed by rotation of the four pivotable junctions 82A 82B 82C 82D and movement in the direction of vector arrow 746.

FIGS. 15, 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D illustrate the top component, which can be functionally equivalent to the base, having an optional folding sub-component 841 that can be illustrated 842 with symbols or designs selected by the user. Designs or symbols can also be placed on the sides of the pedestal and the sides of the base and top. Alternatively, the sub-component 842 can be made of a flexible fabric or similar material to hang down from the top. Although a triangular shape is illustrated, the invention is not limited to that shape or form.

FIG. 18 illustrates the fitting relationship of the top and bottom to the form of the structure. The top and bottom can contain a support shape dimensionally compatible with the outer or inner diameter or shape of the pedestal when in a deployed shape (in contrast to a collapsed shape). It will be appreciated that various forms may be utilized, including but not limited to grooves or notches with the base or top in which the pedestal may fit.

FIG. 19 illustrates a detail of the optional interior compartment within the pedestal.

FIG. 20 illustrates some of the alternative pedestal shapes that can be utilized, although not all shapes can be further broken down into a flat-collapsed shape.

This specification is to be construed as illustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled in the art the manner of carrying out the invention. It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herein shown and describe are to be taken as the presently preferred embodiments. As already stated, various changes may be made in the shape, size and arrangement of components or adjustments made in the steps of the method without departing from the scope of this invention. For example, equivalent elements may be substituted for those illustrated and described herein and certain features of the invention may be utilized independently of the use of other features, all as would be apparent to one skilled in the art after having the benefit of this description of the invention.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this specification. 

1. A storable mantel device that may be temporarily installed on a wall corner formed by two Intersecting walls comprising: a) a mantel shelf component; and b) at least one attachment component for each intersecting wall surface with a surface interfacing with the wall surface.
 2. The mantel of claim 1 further comprising at least one spring component in tensioned communication with at least one attachment component.
 3. The mantel of claim 2 wherein the spring component pressing the attachment component increases the frictional interface between the wall surface and the attachment surface.
 4. The mantel of claim 2 wherein the surface of the attachment component includes a protruding sub-component that can penetrate into the wall surface.
 5. The mantel of claim 2 wherein the tensioned communication includes a vector pressing the mantel toward the wall corner.
 6. The mantel of claim 1 wherein the mantel can be folded for storage and transportation.
 7. The mantel of claim 6 wherein the mantel Includes a pivoting hinge.
 8. The mantel of claim 6 wherein the folded mantel forms a compartment for storage of objects.
 9. The mantel of claim 1 further comprising a side component in communication with at least one wall surfaces proximate to the wall corner. 10-15. (canceled)
 16. A apparatus comprising: a) a pedestal for prayer or meditation further comprising a base component, a pedestal component and a top component wherein the pedestal component has a top end and a bottom end; b) the bottom end of the pedestal component Is removeably installable onto base component; and c) a top component is removeably installable onto the top end of the pedestal component.
 17. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a surface for placement of objects within the pedestal component.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein the surface within the pedestal component comprises an opening with a door.
 19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the top component includes means to hold an object.
 20. The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising at least one foldable component.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the foldable component comprises sysmbols.
 22. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the pedestal component comprises a single piece.
 23. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the pedestal component is a substantially cylindrical shape.
 24. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the pedestal component comprises a plurality of side subcomponents.
 25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein at least two side subcomponents are pivotably connectable.
 26. A pedestal apparatus comprising: a) a base component, a pedestal component and a top component wherein the pedestal component has a plurality of side subcomponents with top ends and bottom ends and at least two side subcomponents are pivotly connectable; b) the bottom end of the pedestal component is removeably installable onto base component; and c) a top component Is removeably installable onto the top end of the pedestal component.
 27. The pedestal apparatus of claim 26 wherein the components can be detached and stored In a flat position.
 28. The pedestal apparatus of claim 26 wherein the pedestal component can be collapsed and stored In a flat position.
 29. The pedestal apparatus of claim 26 further comprising an apparatus for prayer or meditation.
 30. The pedestal apparatus of claim 26 wherein the apparatus weighs less than 5 pounds
 31. The pedestal apparatus of claim 26 wherein the apparatus is less than 24 inches high. 